Hyundai has given us our first glimpse of the next European-market i30 hatchback in the form of this rendering; the production model will be unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show. The i30 is Hyundai’s C-segment five-door, and while it isn’t confirmed whether it will come to the U.S., it could happen. Our current Elantra Touring is essentially a last-gen i30, and the recent success of stylish hatchbacks like the new Ford Focus and Mazda 3 could spur Hyundai to drop the i30 into the fray.

If the rendering is anything to go by, Hyundai wouldn’t have to do much, if anything, to the i30’s styling to prepare it for battle against those attractive hatchbacks. The five-door wears Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language well, and its clipped rear overhang, creased body sides, and tidy roofline look upscale and sporty. The taillights appear to extend onto the rear quarter panels in a fashion similar to those on the Focus hatch, while the rear glass wraps around the C-pillar, putting some emphasis on the car’s rear spoiler. The front-end treatment falls somewhere between those of the latest Elantra sedan and the upcoming Veloster hatch/coupe. Let’s hope Hyundai can find a spot in its U.S. lineup for the i30, because we think its rakish looks would nicely complement the upcoming Elantra coupe and the Elantra sedan.